2019 Volkswagen Atlas Earns Motorweek Drivers’ Choice Awards

For the second year in a row, the Volkswagen Atlas was named Best Large Utility in the 2019 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards. The awards were announced at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, the largest consumer-driven auto show in North America.

“This is another great moment for Atlas,” said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “It was designed and built specifically for American families, and buyers and critics alike are letting us know that we’re hitting the mark with this seven-seater SUV.”

“Despite a near flood of new three-row utility competition, no one matches the Volkswagen Atlas when it comes to family-pleasing roominess, practical luxury, user friendly technologies, advanced safety, and driving manners. That’s why it is MotorWeek’s pick for Best Large Utility for two years running,”said MotorWeek creator and host, John Davis.

Courtesy of VW Media

When selecting the annual Driver’s choice awards the MotorWeek’s editorial staff evaluates more than 150 cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles every year.

The winners are chosen based on:

  • Driving Performance
  • Technology
  • Practicality
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Value for the dollar

The 2019 Atlas is available with two engine options—a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6—and in seven trims levels —S, SE, SE w/ Technology, SE w/ Technology R-Line®, SEL, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium. Atlas also offers 4Motion® all-wheel drive on a variety of trims and is assembled in Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. Prices start at $30,895.

Courtesy of MotorWeek.org

Stay tuned because all Drivers’ Choice Award winners are featured on Motorweek.org, and will appear on a special episode of MotorWeek airing on public television stations beginning February 9, and on cable’s MotorTrend Network beginning February 19.  

That is some Reed Factor news you can use. If you are ready to have an award-winning size that fits all SUV that is right for you and your family. Visit ReedHasIt.com!

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Ford 2020 F-Series Super Duty Received a Powerful Upgrade

Courtesy of Ford Media

America’s best-selling truck has received a powerful upgrade. The 2020 Ford Super Duty is equipped with next-level capabilities, next-level power and next-level technology.

“Super Duty customers have demanding and diverse needs – from towing heavy trailers to repairing critical infrastructure,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, North America. “Productivity is their lifeblood and their truck is their biggest tool. Our new Super Duty has more power, more payload and towing capability and better technology than ever to help these customers build a better world.”

New Performance and Capability

Courtesy of Ford Media

The new Ford has an all-new design and build. A 7.3-liter V8 joins the standard 6.2-liter V8 in Super Duty’s gas engine stable. The Ford-designed and Ford-built third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8 is upgraded to deliver more power and torque. An all-new Ford-designed and Ford-built 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift® automatic transmission is paired with the 7.3-liter V8 and third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8. Ford is the only manufacturer to design and build all of its heavy-duty engine and transmission combinations – ensuring the powertrain works seamlessly with all chassis components and vehicle calibrations.

“With the addition of the 7.3-liter V8, upgrades to our 6.7-liter and the debut of an all-new 10-speed transmission, we are delivering the strongest, most capable Super Duty powertrain offerings yet,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford Super Duty chief engineer.

Technology that assists and improves productivity

Courtesy of Ford Media

Backing up just became that much easier. Class-exclusive new Pro Trailer Backup Assist will have you backing up the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces. Taking your hands off the wheel, drivers use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob to easily steer the trailer via the reverse camera. The truck’s Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows trailer angle and direction, and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Both systems are built to accommodate all trailer styles, including fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.

Ford knows that being connected 24/7 is a must. Every new 2020 Super Duty includes FordPass Connect embedded 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices, keeping crews in communication no matter where the job might take them.

The all-new 2020 has available lane-keeping alert that helps you stay between the lines on the road, while the Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage monitors for vehicles in your blind spots – even when towing. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking aids in avoiding or mitigating collisions with other vehicles. These features are standard on XLT and above Super Duty models. Modern touches include the addition of wireless charging and USB-C ports to power your devices.

Power is inside and out

A featured for the first time, all dual-rear-wheel Super Duty trucks are fitted with a uniquely designed high-airflow grille optimized for maximum powertrain cooling.

The Super Duty’s LED headlamps have both a new look and improved performance. An upgraded front bumper with air dam optimize cooling. A freshened tailgate design, revised taillamps and new rear bumper convey bolder Built Ford Tough style.

Passed the Ford Tough Standards

The new Super Duty has gone endured more than 12 million miles of testing for the 2017 model year, which was increased by an additional 7 million miles for 2020 to ensure the new Super Duty can stand up to the rigors the most exacting truck customers demand of it. This F-Series went tackled continuous running around the clock under the most extreme loads and through all kinds of environmental conditions using dynos, test tracks and public roads.

The 2020 Ford Super Duty will be heading to a Randall Reed Dealership near you this fall. Stay connected via Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates in the automotive world.


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Volkswagen Brings the Legendary Dune Buggy Back

Courtesy of VW Media

A Volkswagen legend returns and is ready for action. Now electric, Volkswagen is bringing the Dune Buggy back to life. Keep an eye out in March for the company to reveal the first fully electric version of a new dune buggy. Taking its design cues from popular American dune buggies, the concept vehicle is based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB), demonstrating how multifaceted the new platform will be.

“A buggy is more than a car. It is vibrancy and energy on four wheels. These attributes are embodied by the new e-buggy, which demonstrates how a modern, non-retro interpretation of a classic can look and, more than anything else, the emotional bond that electric mobility can create,” states Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer at Volkswagen.

The new fully electric buggy is based on the original vehicles that were in the 1960s in California. Staying true to the original vehicles, this reinterpretation of a dune buggy has no fixed roof or conventional doors, while the large wheels and off-road tires and open side sills dominate the overall look.

Courtesy of VW Media

The new MEB concept vehicle shows that this fully electric platform can be used for more than just large-scale series production models. Like the Beetle chassis of yesteryear, the MEB has the potential to facilitate the development of low-volume niche vehicles.

Small Incite of the History of the Buggy

In the later 1950s to the early 1960s, many had stripped their wheels and took them to the sandy beach. Many would modify the wheels by welding two wheels together are the rear for more traction. Soon enough, some found that taking a wrecked or salvaged Volkswagen Beetle and cutting away a lot of the structure made a great dune buggy

The latest one-of-a-kind model, the fully electric concept buggy, will be shown for the first time at the 89th International Geneva Motor Show, from March 7-17. The Volkswagen press conference will start at 10:20 am in Hall 2 on March 5, 2019!

Who is ready to hit the sand dunes? The Reed Factor providing news you can use! Stay connected via Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates in the automotive world.

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Ford Continues to make Efforts in Water Conservation and Climate Change

Courtesy of Ford Media

Doing what is right, because it is the right thing to do, is its own reward. But it is always great to see a company, like Ford, recognized for going the extra mile. The CDP, the environmental impact nonprofit that drives sustainable economies, has recognized Ford’s water security efforts with an A grade. This is not only the 4th year in a row that Ford has earned an A, it is one of less than 30 companies globally to receive an A rating.

Ford and Water Conservation

The company started working to conserve water in 2002 and through its global water initiative has reduced operational water use by 62.5 percent, saving 10.4 billion gallons of water. Ford is on track to achieve its goal of reducing water use by nearly three-fourths by 2020, with a long-term goal of using zero drinkable water in its vehicle manufacturing processes.

“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right,” said Kim Pittel, vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering, Ford Motor Company. “We know we play an integral role in establishing best practices to help protect the environment – both for Ford and our supply chain. Through our integrated approach to sustainability, our goal is to improve the lives of not only our customers, but communities around the world.”

Ford and Climate Change

Ford has been investing billions of dollars in electric vehicles to play their part in saving climate change.

This is the third year in a row that Ford Motor Company receives an A- for their climate change efforts. CEO, Jim Hackett, discusses a new approach called the transportation mobility cloud to tackle the systemic issue of congestion in transportation.

As part of the company’s commitment to deliver on its share of CO2 reductions consistent with the Paris Climate Accord, Ford is investing $11 billion to introduce 16 fully electric vehicles within a global portfolio of 40 electrified vehicles through 2022. Additionally, in 2017 Ford achieved its goal to reduce the company’s global carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing operations by 30 percent per vehicle produced by 2025, eight years early.

“Congratulations to all companies that made it onto CDP’s A list this year,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP. “As the severity of environmental risks to business becomes ever more apparent, these are the companies that are positioning themselves to provide solutions, seize new market opportunities and thrive in the transition to a sustainable economy. We need to urgently scale up environmental action at all levels to meet both the goals of the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals. It’s clear the business world is an essential player in this transition and the A list companies are set to make a substantial contribution to those goals.”

Ford’s annual sustainability report has tracked the company’s comprehensive approach to managing corporate social responsibility issues related to climate change, water conservation and air quality among others, and has identified opportunities for significant impact across the business since 2000.

The Reed Factor providing news you can use! Stay connected via Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates in the automotive world.

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Ford and Gravity Sketch Explore New Tool for Designing Vehicles

Technology is growing at a rapid pace, allowing us to do more with less. Ford is the first automaker to work with Gravity Sketch – a 3D virtual reality tool that enables designers to come up with more human-centric designs.

Ford has developed a new process to put their customers’ needs first and reduces the time it takes to create a vehicle. From Ford Design Studio, a designer enters a virtual room and begins a 3D sketch. He is designing a virtual car around himself and adjusting the attributes to best suit him – the driver. 

Designers have traded in their sketch pads for a headset and controllers to become immersed in virtual reality, imitating gestural interactions through motion tracking that replicates sketching with pen and paper.

Michael Smith, Ford design manager, says seeing all angles of a vehicle as it is being drawn truly unleashes creativity and fosters development of human-centric design from start to finish.

“Jumping right into 3D gives us a 360-degree view of a vehicle as it is being created,” he says.

Courtesy of Ford Media

The technology, Gravity Stretch speeds up automotive designs from weeks to hours, by skipping the 2D stage and working with a 3D model from the start. Designers can anchor a driver at the center, rotating their 3D design to view it from any angle to create a scalable vehicle around their driver. They can even step inside the vehicle sketch to quickly adjust design attributes to best suit occupants. Gravity Sketch enables Ford designers to place the customer at the very center of the vehicle as designers are sketching it.

“This application has the potential to help ensure we are delivering the very best vehicle designs for our customers,” said Smith. “It moves the entire process into the world of virtual reality, giving us greater options for reviewing more models in the 3D environment to create the best possible vehicles.”

Courtesy of Ford Media

Five global Ford Design Studios have dozens of interior and exterior designers now experimenting with Gravity Sketch for workflow feasibility and its potential for real-time co-creation and collaboration. Shifting to a model that designs and evaluates in virtual reality could revolutionize the entire process by drastically reducing development time and allowing for more 3D representations in the evaluation stage. 

“Our collaboration with Ford designers has enabled us to get immersed in their creative process and discover ways to help fine-tune this application to better suit their needs so they can build the best possible vehicles for their customers,” said Oluwaseyi Sosanya, Gravity Sketch CEO & Co-founder.

That is some Reed Factor news you can us, stay connect with the Reed Factor via Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates in the automotive world.

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The All-New Stunning 2020 Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen has completely redesigned the favorite midsize sedan. The all-new 2020 Volkswagen Passat is equipped with stunning features in both design and performance.

Volkswagen has catered the Passat specifically to American buyers, offering more interior space and creature comforts combined with the company’s signature fun-to-drive nature. Building on the success of that model, the all-new 2020 Passat offers more of what matters: bolder design, upgraded technology, and enhanced access to convenience and driver-assistance features.

Courtesy of Volkswagen Media

“Passat is the only midsize sedan to offer German driving dynamics at an affordable price and has long resonated with buyers for its combination of comfort, reliability and driving dynamics,” said Scott Keogh, CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen. “With this new model, we’ve stepped up the style factor and upgraded the technology to make it even more attractive. In addition, we’ve made desirable convenience and driver-assistance features more accessible.”

The Design

Courtesy of Volkswagen Media

A dynamic coupe-like roofline, dramatic “tornado” line, and dominant grille give the Passat a bold new look—at once, elegant and sporty. Standard slim LED headlights and taillights, along with more prominent Passat badging that runs the width of the trunklid, give the car a more premium look. Standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels enhance the sophisticated design, and 18- and 19-inch wheels are available.

The interior is a new design that keeps the spacious cabin that made the outgoing model popular. Installed with upgraded technology, the cockpit features a horizontal design, incorporating air vents that flow across the dash in a style reminiscent of premium models. A new, more contemporary instrument panel has been fitted, along with a new glass-covered infotainment touchscreen. Complementing the new interior design are new colors and premium materials. Three interior décor designs are available, based on trim. Volkswagen’s V-Tex leatherette and Nappa leather seating surfaces are available in addition to the standard cloth seats, and offer four color options.

Comfort for all

Comfort, for both drivers and passengers, continues to be a key strength for the Passat. To help keep occupants comfortable, Passat offers available heated front and rear seats, power driver’s seat with memory, and dual-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control. Convenience features include available power-folding, heated side mirrors with memory, the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with range control and cornering lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, KESSY® keyless access and push-button start, Voice Control, and Easy Open trunk.

The Technology Just Keeps Getting Better

Courtesy of Volkswagen Media

In addition to a new glass-covered touchscreen, MIB II Composition Media infotainment with SiriusXM® radio comes standard (three-month trial subscription included) and Discover Media with navigation is available. Every Passat comes with standard Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect technology, which integrates compatible smartphones with the three major platforms—Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®—making select apps accessible from the infotainment screen. For audiophiles, top-of-the-line models feature the Fender® Premium Audio system.

The new Passat offers a comprehensive suite of standard and available driver-assistance technology. Every Passat includes

  • Standard Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
  • Pedestrian Monitoring
  • Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert.

Available driver-assistance features include:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Lane Keeping Assist (Lane Assist),
  • Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist) including Park Distance Control.

In addition, Passat offers a combination of both passive and active safety systems including the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.

The new Passat continues to be powered by Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, making 174 horsepower. A new torque converter, combined with new software, boosts output to 207 pound-feet of torque on most models (a launch trim will carry over the previous model’s powertrain). The power is taken to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic®.

Every Passat model will come with the People First Warranty, America’s Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty. The warranty provides coverage for six-years or 72,000-miles (whichever occurs first), and the warranty can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration.

Courtesy of Volkswagen Media

The all-new 2020 Volkswagen Passat is expected to arrive in the summer of 2019, and will be available in four trim levels and a launch-only limited model. Stay connected with The Reed Factor via Facebook and Twitter  to be one of the first behind the wheel of the stunning new model.

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Ford Offering FREE Driving Skills for Teens in Houston

 If you live in the Houston, Texas area and have a teen driving, there is an upcoming event from Ford that you’ll want to sign up for! The Reed Factor knows safety is always high priority, especially when it is time for our teens to get behind the wheel. To help newer drivers get prepared, Ford Motor Company is offering a great training opportunity for our teens in Houston area, and it is FREE!

The Ford Driving Skills for Life training is kicking off 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston on February 2-3, 2019. Ford Driving Skills for Life is an award-winning hands-on program for teens and new drivers that allows participants to drive Ford vehicles in a closed area through different scenarios and workshops that teach drivers the skills they need to be safe on the road.  

Teens will be trained on the following:

  • Hazard Recognition
  • Vehicle Handling
  • Space Management
  • Reaction Time
  • Braking and Stopping Distance
  • Avoiding the Dangers of Distracted
  • Impaired Driving
  • And More

REGISTER HERE!

Planet Ford customers, neighbors and community members are all welcome to sign up. Again, this is a free event Ford Fund provides that invests in driver safety for your Houston area community.

Please note that space is limited to 100 spaces per session and that 4 sessions will be offered over the course of the weekend: 

  • Sat. Feb 2, 7:30am-12pm
  • Sat. Feb 2, 1pm-5:30pm
  • Sun. Feb 3, 7:30am-12pm
  • Sun. Feb 3, 1pm-5:30pm

Let’s give our teens the best shot at driving smart and being safe! Stay connect with the Reed Factor via Facebook and Twitter for more news you can use.

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The 2019 Lincoln Continental Achieves IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award

Courtesy of Lincoln Media

When selecting a vehicle, especially a high-line model, safety not only at the top of every check list, it is expected to be exceptional. Look no further than Lincoln for the first vehicle to earn the TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating this year from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its 2019 Lincoln Continental.

Not only is the Lincoln Continental the first TOP SAFETY PICK+ of the year, this is the second year in a row for the Lincoln Continental to earn the TOP SAFETY PICK+  rating from the Institute for Highway Safety. 

With superior front crash prevention system, the 2019 Lincoln Continental earned good ratings in all five crashworthiness tests!

Courtesy of Lincoln Media

You can rest more easy driving at night knowing the Continental’s optional LED projector headlights earned a good rating, providing ample lighting on a straightaway and most kinds of curves. The headlights can be obtained with high-beam assist, a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams, depending on the presence of other vehicles.

According to the IIHS, “to qualify for 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating.”

A Few of the All-New 2019 Lincoln Continental Highlight Features:

  • Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L V6 Engine
  • Pre-Collision Assist
  • Lincoln Co-Pilot360™
  • Lane Keeping Systems
  • Adaptive Headlamps
  • Blind Spot Detection with Cross-Traffic Alert
  • 360-Degree Camera
  • An available Heads-up Display
  • Available Perfect Position Seats with Active Motion®

That is some news you can use from The Reed Factor. Are you ready for a vehicle that is both luxurious and safe? Visit Reedhasit.com to get th 2019 Lincoln Continental.

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Ford Keeps America’s Best-Selling Truck at the Top

Courtesy of Ford Media

Did you know that a Ford truck is sold somewhere in the world an average every 29.3 seconds? Talk about a truck that is one in a million… literally! Ford sold more than 1.075 million F-Series trucks globally in 2018.

2018 marked 42 years for America’s best-selling truck and 37 years as America’s best-selling vehicle. During that flight, Ford would have sold nearly 1,000 more F-Series trucks.

“From Ranger to Transit, we’re proud and honored to help our global truck and commercial vehicle customers get the job done around the planet,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president, Global Markets. “But it’s our F-Series juggernaut that leads the world in sales, capability and smart technology, setting the bar others follow.”

The 2019 Ford Trucks

The 2019 Ford F-150 Standard Features:


Courtesy of Ford Media
  • 23.0-gal. fuel tank capacity
  • 2-speed automatic 4WD (4×4 LARIAT and above)
  • Auto Start-Stop Technology
  • Black vinyl floor covering (XL)
  • Cargo box tie-downs (4)
  • Configurable daytime running lamps
  • Electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) (4×4 XL, XLT)
  • Engine – 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 FFV2
  • Engine – 2.7L EcoBoost® V62
  • Engine – 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 FFV2
  • Mirrors – Power sideview
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Quick-release tailgate with lock
  • Seat – Front 40/20/40 split
  • SYNC® with 4.2-inch color LCD screen
  • SYNC 3 with 8-inch color LCD capacitive touchscreen with AppLink,® 911 Assist® and 2 smart-charging USB ports (XLT and above)
  • SYNC Connect (XLT and above)
  • Transmission – 6-speed SelectShift® automatic with selectable drive modes (3.3L engine)
  • Transmission – 10-speed SelectShift automatic with selectable drive modes (2.7L, 3.5L, 5.0L and 3.0L engines)

The 2019 Ford F-Series Standard Features:


Courtesy of Ford Media
  • 4-/7-pin trailer tow connector
  • Built Ford Tough® trailer hitch receiver
  • Engine – 6.2L 2-valve V8 FFV (F-250, F-350)
  • Engine – 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel (B20-capable) (Limited, F-450)
  • Fail-Safe Engine Cooling System (gas engine)
  • Front stabilizer bar
  • Integrated trailer brake controller
  • (XL DRW, XLT, LARIAT, KING RANCH, PLATINUM, LIMITED)
  • MyKey®
  • Pickup box lamps
  • Rear view camera
  • Stationary elevated idle control (SEIC)2
  • SYNC® (XLT)
  • SYNC 3 (LARIAT and above)
  • Transmission – TorqShift® Heavy-Duty 6-speed SelectShift® automatic (Diesel)

The 2019 Ford Ranger Standard Features:

Courtesy of Ford Media
  • 18.0-gal. fuel tank capacity
  • Auto Start-Stop Technology
  • Black vinyl floor covering
  • Cargo box tie-downs (4)
  • Carpeted flooring (XLT and above)
  • Co-Pilot 360 (XLT and above)
  • Daytime running lamps
  • Electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) (4×4)
  • Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost®
  • Mirrors – Power sideview (XL and above)
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Seats – Front buckets with flow-through console
  • SYNC® with 4.2-inch color LCD screen (XL, XLT)
  • SYNC 3 with 8-inch color LCD capacitive touchscreen with AppLink,® 911 Assist® and 2 smart-charging USB ports (XLT 301A and above)
  • SYNC Connect
  • Transmission – 10-speed SelectShift® automatic

If you are ready for America’s best-selling truck, the Ford whisperer has just what you’re looking for. visit reedhasit.com.

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Most Powerful, Street-Legal Ford Mustang Ever – 2020 Shelby GT500

“The pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford Performance,” The all-new Ford 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 is the most powerful street-legal Ford ever with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing more than 700 horsepower.

The Shelby GT500 is capable of mid-three-second 0-60 mph and sub-11-second quarter-mile scores, it features the best Mustang track times, the best cornering and the largest brakes of any domestic sports coupe thanks to tech transfer from Ford GT and Mustang GT4 racing programs; this includes a segment-first dual-clutch transmission. This is the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date ever offered in a Ford Mustang.

“Carroll was always working on the next faster Shelby, I think he would love this Mustang more than any other,” said Jim Farley, Ford president, global markets. “A takedown artist, the new Shelby GT500 will surprise supercar owners with its Ford Performance racing tech, supercharged engine and visceral swagger.”

Courtesy of Ford Media

Arriving fall 2019 to join its Shelby GT350, the Shelby GT500 is engineered to attack on all fronts. At the drag strip, it’s set to produce a projected 700-plus horsepower via its first-in-class dual-clutch transmission. At the track, performance improves even more thanks to its race-bred chassis, custom Michelin tires and the largest front brake rotors ever available on an American sports coupe. On the street, its menacing aerodynamic design and Ford Performance driver control technologies make every moment behind the wheel even more exhilarating.

Most Powerful Ford Production Car Ever

Courtesy of Ford Media

This is the quickest street-legal ‘stang ever, Ford performance is making a mark in pony history with an exclusive powertrain deliver new levels of power and torque.

“With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance level
once reserved only for exotics,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance vehicle programs. “As a
Mustang, it has to be attainable and punch above its weight. To that end, we’ve set a new standard among American
performance cars with our most powerful street-legal V8 engine to date, plus the quickest-shifting transmission ever in
a Mustang for all-out precision and speed.”

Ford performance pulled from the tuning of its Ford GT supercar’s dual-clutch transmission to enhance the torque power of the unique carbon fiber driveshaft. The team selected a TREMEC® 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which can shift smoothly in less than 100 milliseconds – markedly faster than any manual gearbox.

This dual-clutch transmission is designed for a number of drive modes like slippery, sport, drag and track, and features line-lock and rpm-selectable launch control through selectable Track Apps.

2020 Ford Mustang GT500 Bred from the Ford GT and Mustang GT4

Courtesy of Ford Media

Shelby GT500 takes advantage of revised suspension geometry, a new electronic power steering unit and lighter-weight coil springs front and rear. Next-generation active MagneRide™ suspension is baked-in, along with the latest in advanced drive mode technologies from Ford Performance. The payoff is the highest-ever lateral acceleration from a Mustang for greater track performance and driver control.

Putting all this chassis hardware to the pavement, custom Ford Performance-spec Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and more aggressive Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires feature unique compounds and tread. To provide track-ready stopping power, massive 16-5-inch (420-millimeter) two-piece rotors are added – the largest of any domestic sports coupe – plus larger, stiffer
Brembo six-piston calipers. With 20 percent more swept area than the Shelby GT350’s, these brakes have more than 30 percent additional thermal mass in the front corners.

The Ford Performance know-how Inspiring Design

Courtesy of Ford Media

Ford Performance engineers and motorsports collaborators, the 2020 Shelby GT500 has functional track-hero looks to match its performance capabilities.

“With a double front grille opening and 50 percent more cooling pack airflow versus the Shelby GT350, along with the most advanced aero components and downforce we’ve ever offered, every millimeter of Shelby GT500’s fastback design is aimed at improving performance,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford design manager.

Those large angular grille openings and muscular hood combine for a menacing, aerodynamic-led design inspired by modern fighter jet aircraft. The car’s wider front fenders and stance housing Shelby GT500-specific 20×11-inch wheels proportionally align to its rear fenders that hug up to 20×11.5-inch wheels. A standard new rear spoiler and updated composite materials in the rear diffuser result in added thermal management.

The team leveraged Ford’s motorsports technical center in North Carolina and Windshear, with its rolling wind tunnel– where top-tier racing teams test – to perfect the design of the Shelby GT500. Front fascia openings are more than doubled versus the Shelby GT350, while six heat exchangers are stuffed in to increase cooling pack airflow by more than 50 percent. A massive 31×28-inch louvered hood vent features a removable aluminum rain tray for better air extraction and increased downforce.

Building on the legacy of Shelby performance

With a reputation for transforming Ford Mustang into dominant road racing machines, Carroll Shelby, American racer and entrepreneur, took his legendary Mustang GT350 model further in 1967 to craft the first-generation Shelby GT500 with a modified 428-cubic-inch V8 inspired by his team’s 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans. Carroll Shelby called the original Shelby GT500 “the first real car I’m really proud of.” Today, that legacy continues with the third-generation 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 – the most powerful and most advanced Mustang ever.

Do you have a need for speed? Keep watch for the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 coming to Randall Reed Dealership near you!

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